City council schedules interview with city manager candidate

Published 3:46 am, Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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City council schedules interview with city manager candidate

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On top of listening to annual reports, the Plainview City Council set a date Tuesday night to interview a candidate for the City Manager position, which will soon be left open by retiring manager Greg Ingram.

Though the candidate was not named, the Council plans on going into executive session Monday June 16 to interview a candidate for the position. An update on the job search will be announced after the closed session.

In other agenda business, the Council heard the annual report from the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a contract with the city council, who funds 18 percent of the Chamber’s total budget.

In the report, Chamber director Linda Morris gave quick highlights of the organizations efforts to promote current businesses in Plainview as well as attract new ventures.

Currently, the Chamber is in charge of new business ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings for new building projects, business of the month recognition, Business After Hours reception, the Business Success Series, the Christmas Parade, the Fourth of July fireworks show, Plainview Coins, Hale on Wheels and much more.

The Chamber also hosts their annual banquet, which honors the city’s man and woman of the year and provides Student of the Month honors and the Raymond Akin Scholarship.

On a digital format, the Chamber manages their website and Facebook, which are designed to promote local businesses and activities in the community.

Recently, the website underwent an overhaul to better suit those interested in the assets of Plainview.

“I really like the site,” said counci lmember Larry Williams, who praised the new design of the website.

In a more efficient and convenient manner, the website provides information on businesses and events as well as offers an ongoing monthly calendar. New features include a constantly updated member directory and a “Living Here” section that shows everything Plainview has to offer from restaurants and lodging to apartments and basic information.

The Chamber also creates customized “Relocation” packets to assist new residents of Plainview. The same effort is taken in bringing new business to Plainview as the Chamber and the City make trips to retail conventions.

This past year the Chamber and the Main Street foundation also joined forces to promote Plainview.

“It’s working out very well,” said Morris. “It helps us maintain the focus of growth in Plainview as a whole.”

The Council accepted the report with a unanimous vote.

In their other report of the night, the Plainview City Council reviewed their Comprehensive Progress Plan and Annual Report.

The 20-year plan, adopted in May 2013, was created by the council, city leaders and business leaders during open meetings.

The plan is described as a living document to provide the framework for Plainview’s future growth and a reference to decision-making.

“It’s important to look at this,” said Ingram, who gives the report a couple times a year. “It lets us see how we are progressing.”

Some of the actions on the plan include supporting an industrial park as well as finding businesses to fill vacant properties around town.

The plan also describes working with colleges, such as South Plains College and Wayland Baptist University, to promote technical training and the pursuit of higher education to build a strong workforce.

Projects in the plan include improving the local airport with the help of a $4.3 million grant as well as projects to rehabilitate property conditions in neighborhoods and improve property codes. That action also goes in-depth with organizing partnership for community cleanups.

“The program helps us to build cooperation with the neighborhoods. And build them up together,” said Ingram.

The plan also suggests private and city partnerships such as that involved with the Plainview Skate Park.

Actions already taken in line with the plan include the building of the City’s two new water towers, a waterline replacement. Upcoming projects include the CRMWA water well expansion, water treatment plant upgrades and an updated drought contingency plan.

No action was taken on the report.

In other action, the Council unanimously voted to approve parade plans set for June 21.

The first will be the annual Juneteenth Parade, which will step off from the former American Legion Post home before heading north on Broadway to Givens Park. Shortly afterward, the Plainview Rodeo Association will hold a parade marking the 70th annual Bar-None Rodeo. That parade will run north to south on Broadway, from the train depot to Broadway Park.

Tuesday’s agenda also saw the City Council hold the second and final public hearing on a request to annex 5.79 acres of land just north of Walmart Supercenter.

The request for annexation was made by apartment builder State Street, which is planning to construct an 80-unit apartment complex. By allowing the city to annex the property, the complex will be able to connect to the city’s utility system and have access to Plainview police and fire protection.